Manchester City fans were dealt the worst possible news ahead of their trip to Luton Town after it was reported that they would be without Erling Haaland for the contest.
The Sky Blues are hoping to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa on Wednesday with a win at Kenilworth Road.
In fact, the reigning Premier League champions are in search of their first win in four games, having drawn with Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham prior to their defeat at Villa Park.
However, they will have to do so without their talisman Haaland, who has reportedly sustained a foot injury.
Advert
According to @FPLMaineRoad, the Norwegian has been carrying a foot injury for ‘a few weeks’, with the problem described as a ‘stress fracture’.
The report adds that he may miss City's final Champions League group stage match against Red Star on Wednesday as well as their home game against Crystal Palace next weekend.
Guardiola has since confirmed the injury on Sky Sports, claiming he has a "bone stress reaction in his foot". However, he has refused to comment on how long the 23-year-old may be sidelined for.
Haaland has picked up where he left off last season and sits top of the Premier League's scoring charts with 14 goals to his name.
In his absence, Julian Alvarez is likely to be given the nod up front, having usually been deployed in behind Haaland this term.
Addressing his side's poor form ahead of the game against Luton, Guardiola told reporters: "What they demand of us, they didn't demand of our friends — at all.
"There is only one team that is going to 'fail' to win the Premier League, that is us. For the rest, (winning) it is a big success. Any team.
"In the end, if they don't win — Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, everyone — it is normal because City should win. It is unfair. It is difficult to handle that every week, every three days, for years and years."
How do you think Manchester City will cope without Haaland? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Erling Haaland, Manchester City, Luton Town, Premier League, Football
Joe Adams